The state Congress is planning to appoint about 25 party legislators as heads or various boards and corporations of the state government, in an attempt to pacify disgruntled leaders.
The state leadership is learnt to have prepared a list of legislators, most of whom are MLAs, for this purpose. The appointment will be done within a week’s time after obtaining the party high command’s permission, the state Congress sources said.
Several of the party legislators who are aspiring to become ministers are upset with the decision to postpone expansion of the state Cabinet in the wake of by-elections to three parliamentary and two assembly seats. Many of them had even threatened to raise a banner of revolt if they are not accommodated in the council of ministers.
The Congress is unlikely to expand the Cabinet till the next Lok Sabha polls to be held next year. There are seven vacant Cabinet berths in the JD(S)-Congress coalition government. Of this, the Congress’ quota is six, while the JD(S) gets one berth, as per the power-sharing agreement.
The party wants to placate the legislators immediately as there is a likelihood of them not working for the party in the bypolls. It is said that the party is ready to offer the Cabinet rank to those who agree to become heads of boards and corporations.
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